Shofar Durbanville

God isn’t only compassionate — He’s also perfectly just. In Exodus 34, God reveals Himself as merciful and gracious, yet committed to justice. From Eden to Gethsemane, we see mercy and justice “kiss” most clearly at the cross, where Jesus becomes our substitute and God remains both just and the justifier. And if we’re made in His image, we’re called to reflect Him: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly — starting with one person right in front of us.

God is nie óf barmhartig óf regverdig nie—Hy is albei. Hy voel met ons in ons pyn, en Hy tree op teen onreg. In Eden roep Hy: “Waar is jy?” In Getsemane sê Jesus: “Nie my wil nie, maar U wil.” By die kruis ontmoet barmhartigheid en geregtigheid—en ons word uitgenooi om dieselfde hart te leef.

We all live with competing voices.
Genesis 1 reminds us who we are: created in God’s image, commissioned, and loved.
Genesis 3 whispers fear, shame, and doubt — questioning God’s goodness and our worth.

This sermon invites us to rediscover Imago Dei — not as flawless people, but as restored ones. Through Jesus, broken crowns are not discarded; they’re rebuilt with gold. The call isn’t perfection, but discernment. Not striving, but intimacy.

God is compassionate. Trustworthy. Steadfast.
And His voice still restores what the enemy tried to fracture.

Ons leef elke dag onder verskillende stemme – party bring vrees en twyfel, ander bring lewe en waarheid. Hierdie boodskap herinner ons dat ons geskep is na die beeld van God (Imago Dei), geroep om te leef uit sy seën, identiteit en verbondsliefde. Wanneer ons God se stem weer leer hoor, kan ons leuens stilmaak, vryheid beleef en ander help om ook hul ware identiteit te ontdek.

Trust isn’t saying you believe—trust is falling backward.
This message reminds us that we were created Imago Dei, declared ‘very good,’ and invited to truly know God—not just obey Him. The serpent’s oldest lie still whispers: ‘Is God really good?’ But when that voice is silenced, dignity is restored, identity is healed, and obedience becomes possible.
Radical trust leads to radical freedom.

God is nie net ’n Voorsiener nie—Hy is ’n God wat geken wil word.
Van die begin af is die mens ongelooflik goed geskape, na Sy beeld. Die grootste leuen was nog altyd om God se goedheid te bevraagteken. Wanneer ons leer wie Hy regtig is—genadig, getrou en vol liefde—word ons identiteit herstel en begin ons ander se waardigheid raaksien en herstel.

Imago Dei verander alles.

A new year doesn’t automatically mean a new you. God has already given everything needed for life and godliness—but transformation happens when we make every effort to grow.

This sermon challenges us to stop reacting, stop drifting, and start practicing intentional habits that shape Christlike character. Grace isn’t opposed to effort—it empowers it.

What’s the one thing God is inviting you to grow in this year?

Redding is nie net iets wat gebeur het nie – dis iets wat God steeds uitwerk in ons. Geestelike groei gebeur nie wanneer ons in versoeking harder probeer nie, maar wanneer ons onsself daagliks beoefen in geregtigheid. Hierdie jaar: moenie fokus op alles wat jy wil regmaak nie. Kies een gewoonte. Een karaktertrek. En wandel getrou saam met God daarin.

New year, same struggles?
The problem isn’t the calendar—it’s which “but” we follow.

"But I " keeps us stuck in excuses and limitations.

"But God " changes the story.

Psalm 73 reminds us: real transformation doesn’t come from fixing the outside, but from meeting God in the middle of our frustration. The gospel itself is a “But God” story—lost, broken, dead… but God intervened.

This year, don’t live from “but I can’t.”
Live from “but God can.”

God is bigger than your "but".

We live in a world full of noise—but God still speaks in thequiet.

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray, showing us arhythm of retreat and return. In an age of constant distraction, solitude isn’toptional—it’s essential.

“Come away with me…and you’ll recover your life.”

We live in a world full of noise—but God still speaks in thequiet.

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray, showing us arhythm of retreat and return. In an age of constant distraction, solitude isn’toptional—it’s essential.

“Come away with me…and you’ll recover your life.”